60-3332. Definitions. As used in K.S.A. 60-3332 through 60-3339:

(a) "Environmental audit" means a voluntary, internal assessment, evaluation or review of a facility or operation, of an activity at a facility or operation or of an environmental management system at a facility or operation when the facility, operation or activity is regulated by state or federal environmental laws that is performed by the owner or operator, the owner's or operator's employees, or a qualified auditor retained by the owner or operator of the facility or operation for the express and specific purpose of identifying historical or current noncompliance with environmental laws, discovering environmental contamination or hazards, remedying noncompliance or improving compliance with environmental laws or improving an environmental management system. Once initiated, an audit shall be completed within a reasonable period of time not to exceed six months, unless an extension is approved by the agency that regulates the facility or operation. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize uninterrupted or continuous auditing.

(b) "Environmental audit report" means a set of documents, each labeled "Audit Report: Privileged Document" that is generated and developed for the primary purpose and in the course of or as a result of an environmental audit that is conducted in good faith. An environmental audit report may include the following supporting information, if collected or developed for the primary purpose and in the course of an audit: Field notes and records of observations, samples, analytical results, exhibits, findings, opinions, suggestions, recommendations, conclusions, drafts, memoranda, implementation plans, interviews, correspondence, drawings, photographs, computer-generated or electronically recorded information, maps, charts, graphs and surveys. An environmental audit report, when completed, may include any of the following components:

(1) An audit report prepared by the auditor, which may include the scope of the environmental audit, the information gained in the environmental audit, conclusions and recommendations, together with exhibits and appendices;

(2) memoranda and documents analyzing all or part of the audit report and discussing potential implementation issues;

(3) an implementation plan that addresses correcting past noncompliance, improving current compliance or an environmental management system, and preventing future noncompliance; and

(4) periodic updates documenting progress in completing the implementation plan.

(c) "Facility" means all contiguous land, structures and other appurtenances and improvements on the land.

(d) "Qualified auditor" means a person or organization with education, training and experience in preparing environmental studies and assessments.

(e) "Environmental law" means any requirement contained in state environmental statutes and in rules and regulations promulgated under such statutes, or in any orders, permits, approvals, licenses or closure plans issued or made under these provisions.

(f) "Owner or operator" means any person who possesses an interest in or who is in control of the daily operation of a facility and who caused the environmental audit to be undertaken.

(g) "Person" means any individual, association, partnership, joint venture, company, firm, corporation, institution, governmental subdivision, state or federal department or agency or other legal entity.

History: L. 1995, ch. 204, § 1; L. 2006, ch. 30, § 2; July 1.